The 1971 album that transformed Jethro Tull into one of the giants of progressive rock

The album responsible for consolidating Jethro Tull as one of the biggest bands in progressive rock was "Aqualung", released in 1971. Although the group had already gained recognition with previous works, it was this album that definitively elevated Ian Anderson and his companions to the first echelon of world rock. "Aqualung" features some of the most important songs of the band's career, including "Aqualung", "Cross-Eyed Mary", "Locomotive Breath", "My God" and "Wind-Up". The work mixes progressive rock, British folk, blues and classical music, creating a sound that would become the group's trademark. The lyrics address themes such as religion, social inequality, spirituality and criticism of institutions, making the album much more complex than a simple rock album. Ian Anderson stood out not only as a vocalist, but also for transforming the transverse flute into one of the most characteristic instruments of progressive rock. Released in a period of enormous creativity for the genre, "Aqualung" began to be frequently cited alongside classic works by Pink Floyd, Yes, Genesis, King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. More than fifty years later, the album continues to be considered Jethro Tull's main work and an obligatory reference for any fan of progressive rock.